24 CRESCENT STREET, SUITE 201 WALTHAM, MA 02453
781.891.6689 Phone 781.891.1703 Fax
WATCH Housing Clinic Internship Available for Fall 2016
WATCH: WATCH’s mission is to help poor and immigrant residents of Waltham get access to services and have a say in how things are done in our community. WATCH provides English classes for immigrants, helps low income tenants find housing, educates tenants on their rights so they can organize for better conditions and more affordable housing, and provides free home weatherization through community ‘barnraisings.’ WATCH builds community by providing volunteer opportunities and a place where members can improve their own lives and help make a difference in Waltham.
Our internships are a great opportunity for experience in a grassroots, non-profit organization and a chance to make a difference in the lives of our low income residents. They are generally unpaid but may be eligible for academic credit.*
Background: WATCH’s Housing Clinic, created and operated for the last 10 years by Professor Laura Goldin and staffed by trained students from her classes, programs and internships, helps hundreds of Waltham tenants a year to access community resources, resolve issues with landlords, get help for poor living conditions, and find affordable housing.
We are looking for a Brandeis student with an interest in social justice who wants to make a difference for low income families in their search for safe, affordable, fair housing. The intern will join Professor Goldin, WATCH staff and current Clinic students to supplement and expand the ability of the Clinic to meet community needs.
Duties: Help staff the bi-weekly housing clinic at least 1night a week(7-8:30pm Mon/Thurs) and do follow up work with day hours.
Receive training on all the components of the housing clinic work and then help clients with these issues:
- affordable housing search
- eviction prevention, eviction process, tenant rights in an eviction
- applying for public housing
- applying for food stamps
- applying for affordable housing lottery
- applying for fuel assistance
- locating emergency shelter
- tenant rights for safe habitation and how to file a complaint with the health department
- security deposits and tenant rights
- cash assistance programs
- assist with finding food pantry, hot meal programs
- referral for other community supports
*Please contact Brandeis Professor Laura Goldin, 781-736-3075 if you are interested.